Hi there, <br>I recently started researching my California Bungalow. After consulting the local historical society, I've found that my home was built in 1923 by a local builder named H.E. Kane. The original price was listed as $2,500. <br>There are 3 houses in a row on my block that are nearly identical (except for recent modifications) which makes me think that they may have been catalog/kit homes. I've searched the library for catalogs from the early 1900's up to the 30's (Sears,Aladdin, Wilson, ect.) and haven't yet found the house. Any help would be greatly appreciated! <br> <br>http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kkurczewski/detail?.dir=/e5bf&.dnm=57b2.jpg&.src=ph <br> <br> <br>

I am not an expert on kit homes, but I would mention that just because there are several homes (very pretty! BTW) alike closeby doesn't necessarily mean they are kit homes. In fact, I would guess that it would be more likely that a builder built several like homes as spec houses. The proximatey would make it easier for him to supervise multiple homes being built at one and share supplies. <br> <br>

I, too, have no idea if it is a kit home but had to post simply to BEG for more photos. The house is so cute I want to see more!

Thank you very much! I'll see what I can dredge up...

I have just found out that the 3 alike houses on my street were originally occupied by workers at the local Del Monte Canning factory, which is very close. So, you may in fact, be right on. Thanks for the insight!

I put up some more pics. I don't have too many exterior shots, though.

I agree with djmiller. A lot of houses in my neighborhood were built/designed by the same builder and are known and historically designated as "so and so's spec house ##" That is about the sweetest looking house I could imagine and I love your rustic garage. <br>

Thank you for the kind compliments! I was wondering, where would be a good place to find info. on houses & architects? I've been to city hall, and the local historical society. Unfortunately, the victorian houses have a lot of documented info., but there's not much on bungalows, at least in my neighborhood.

Does your community have an archive? We have a county archive here that keeps all of the local information, including historical records of houses and people...old directories, fire insurance (Sanborne) maps, all sorts of helpful items...as well as a knowledgable clerk who can help in searches. <br> <br>Another thing to check is if your house is on the National Register, either by itself or, more commonly, as a member in a historic district. If so, there will be a history of the area and even a bit of information on the house stored in the National Trust's files. You usually can get a copy of the nomination form, which has all the information, from either the National Trust's web site or from your state historic preservation office (SHPO). Which is another place you can contact to see if they have any resources that can help. The SHPO may know your area and even the house if you are lucky. <br> <br>Back to the National Trust...they have publications that you can order. Some are free, some aren't, but they have some that can help you research your house. You can also find information on these publications from their website. <br> <br>You can search the tax records for chain of ownership. If there were changes done, you may find record of permits describing the work. <br> <br>The Sanborne maps will also help out... I found out where my original porches and outbuildings were (and the number of stories on each part of the house) from them. These usually are on microfilm, and date from the turn of the century to the 30s or 40s. I think the 20s were what I had to work with. <br> <br>Good luck, hope some of these suggestions prove helpful!

I've been to City Hall, and I do have a copy of the permits-- it's interesting seeing the modifications that have taken place over the years! Do you know where I can get a copy of Sanborne maps and tax records? Is this something that may also be at City Hall? <br>And, as always, thanks for all the great suggestions & insight!

Tax records usually are stored at county seat court houses. At least around here. Although some counties ship their records that are over x years old off to an archive office. In Limestone County, AL (where I live and do research), the tax records as well as the Sanbourn maps are on microfilm and are at the Limestone County Archives. HOWEVER, Huntsville, AL's library is one of the best for doing research. They have a heritage room and not only have a lot of the same documents that the county has, but all the directories. I am not sure if they have the tax records, though. The State Archives also has copies of a lot of things from local counties. So my advice to you is see if you have a local archive (city or county) near you. Contact the City Hall or County Courthouse (whichever has the current tax records) and ask them if they have the old records as well. They should be able to tell you where they are stored. What county and city is your house in? Maybe I can do a quick search on line to see if I can find some specific places to look for you...if it is a quite day at work, that is! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] <br> <br>Deb

I have the same issue here in Maine. A house 2 blocks away is exactly the same, with only a difference in porch column style. I looked up both houses in all the historic and tax records I could find (local museum, historical society, tax assessor, others in city hall, library, even called the daughter in law of the original owner!) and they were built by 2 different builders in the same year. I have looked through every catalog we could find (listed in the American Bungalow bibliography!) and no luck yet. Anyone know of sources for the other kit & plan catalogs? The ones published by Dover are often just a single year or a few houses from various years. We have found similar houses and similar floor plans, but no matches yet. I wonder if we just need a different year's catalog of some of the almost-matches? Are these archived somewhere that anyone knows of?